Massage pad



`m. 8, 1935. E; D. DAVls 1,987,390

MASSAGE PAD Filed Sept. 5, 1932 zvezzzor Edward aVz/S,

l @www Patented Jan. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MASSAGE PAD Edward D. Davis, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Boye Needle Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois This invention relates to a massage pad and, more particularly, to a device adapted for massaging, shampooing, and washing of the scalp.

When a massage pad is formed by securing a rubber plate bearing massage-points to a body of sponge rubber, the product is found to be unsatisfactory because the plate interferes with the proper squeezing of the sponge rubber to rid the sponge of water or to enable it to absorb a maximum supply, and also because the massage-points during the squeezing of the sponge tend to lose their alignment and extend in different directions.

An object of the present invention is to provide a massage pad which will permit ready contraction of the sponge body in one direction, with the points in horizontal alignment, while at the same time providing a relatively rigid backing for the sponge by preventing the compression thereof in the other direction.. The new combination also enables the user to convert the normally soft and yielding massage surface into a relatively stiff surface by contracting the massage points into smaller compass so that the points in abutment form a substantially continuous rubber block. Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in its preferred embodiment, in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a massage pad embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a transverse sectional View, the section being taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a top plan view of a modied form of the invention; and Fig. 4, a transverse sectional View, the section being taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 3.

In the illustration given in Fig. 1, 10 designates a sponge rubber body which is preferably provided on one side with a skin 11. For the purpose of illustration, the skin is given an exaggerated thickness in the drawing. Secured to the skin 11 is a rubber plate 12 which carries parallel rows of conical massage-points 13. As indicated more clearly in Fig. 2, the points 13 rest upon substantially thick base strips 14 provided by plate 12. Between the base strips 14 are formed grooves 15 which reduce the thickness of plate 12 to a substantial degree. The grooves 15 in the rubber plate 12 permit the bases 14 which carry points 13 to be readily drawn together so that the bases 14 form a substantially continuous plate.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 3, the sponge rubber body 10 is also provided with a skin 11 to which are secured parallel strips of rubber 16.v The strips 16 are spaced apart, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. Upon the strips 16, and formed integral therewith, are pyramidal teeth or points 1'7. In this form of the invention, it will be observed that there is a free space 18 between the semi-rigid rubber strips 16.

In the operation of the massage pad, in either of the forms illustrated, the sponge rubber may be squeezed transversely of the rubber body so as to bring the massage-points or their bases into abutment. This permits a substantial contraction of the sponge so as to rid it of water, or to enable it to absorb a maximum amount of water when it is immersed; at the same time, the longitudinal strips o1" relatively stiff rubber prevent compression lengthwise of the pad and thus provide a reinforcing pad backing.

When the user wishes the massaging surface to be soft and yielding, he grasps the sponge body and massages without compressing it. Under these circumstances, the individual rubber strips or point-bases tend to yield individually and to turn upon their soft sponge rubber foundations. When, however, he wishes to have a relatively stiff massaging surface, this can be accomplished by compressing the sides of the sponge inwardly so as to bring the parallel rows of strips or bases into abutment. The strips of rubber in this position form a substantially continuous board-like surface so that there is very little individual yielding of the rows of teeth. Substantially the only yielding is that of the individual teeth on the bases or supporting rubber strips. The spaces between the rubber strips or bases permit the teeth to be brought into horizontal alignment so that they point substantially in the same direction.

While I have shown two forms of the invention, by way of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may be employed in a number of diverse forms. The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character set forth, a sponge rubber body, semi-rigid strips of rubber secured to one side thereof in parallel spaced relation, and massage-points formed integral with said rubber strips.

2. A massage pad comprising a sponge rubber body provided on one side with a skin, and strips of semi-rigid rubber secured to said skin, said rubber strips being spaced apart and having integrally formed therewith massaging projections.

3. A massage pad comprising a sponge rubber body, a block of semi-rigid rubber secured to one grooves extending therethrough affording spaced ridges, and massage points carried by said spaced ridges, the bottom groove portions of said block being sufliciently thin to permit lateral compression of the block to bring the ridge portions thereof substantially together.

EDWARD D. DAVIS. 

